Optical recording medium and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

There is provided an optical recording medium, in which a light transmitting layer is formed on a disc substrate, having less deflection and being excellent in recording/reproducing properties. In an optical disc, an information signal area on which an information signal can be recorded and/or reproduced is formed on a major surface of a disc substrate thereof; a light transmitting layer which can transmit a laser beam used in a process for recording and/or reproducing the information signal is formed on a side on which the information signal area is present; and a clamp reference plane is arranged on a major surface of the light transmitting layer in a clamp region. If the optical disc is clamped by a chucking unit of a drive, it is clamped by making the clamp reference plane on the major surface of the light transmitting layer contact with a mounting surface of a table for mounting the disc, and making a magnetic metal plate contact with the major surface of the disc substrate, and then sandwiching the optical disc between.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present document is based on Japanese Priority Document JP2000-307201, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Oct. 6, 2000, theentire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical recording medium and amethod of manufacturing such optical recording medium. Moreparticularly, the present invention is preferable for an application toan optical recording medium on and from which an information signal isrecorded and/or reproduced, by radiating a laser beam from a side onwhich a light transmitting layer is formed, to an optical disc having arecording layer and a light transmitting layer formed on a substrate.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, various researches and developments with regard to anoptical information recording method have been promoted in a field ofinformation recording. This optical information recording method hasmerits that a recording operation and/or a reproducing operation can bedone without any direct contact to a medium, and that it is possible toattain a recording density higher by one digit or more than that of amagnetically recording method. Also, this optical information recordingmethod has a further merit that it can be applied to respective memoryforms such as a read only type, a write once type (recordable type), arewritable type and the like. For this reason, the applications to wideservices from industrial use to consumer use are considered as a methodwhich can attain a file that is low in cost and large in capacity.

Among them, a digital audio disc (DAD), an optical video disc and thelike, which are the optical discs corresponding to the memory form ofthe reproduction only type, are widely prevalent, in particular.

The optical disc such as the DAD or the like has the configuration thata reflection film constituted by a metallic thin film, such as analuminum (Al) film and the like, is formed on a transparent discsubstrate on which concave and convex patterns such as a pit and agroove indicating an information signal and the like are formed, andthat a protective film for protecting the reflection film from water(H₂O) and oxygen (O₂) in the air is formed on the reflection film. And,when the information signal is reproduced from the optical disc, areproducing light such as a laser beam or the like is radiated to theconcave and convex patterns from the optical disc substrate side.Accordingly, the information signal is detected on the basis of areflectance difference between an incident (incoming) light and areflected light of the reproducing light.

When such an optical disc is manufactured, an optical disc substratehaving concave and convex patterns is firstly fabricated by an injectionmolding method. Next, a reflection film constituted by a metallic thinfilm is formed on the optical disc substrate by a vacuum evaporationmethod. Subsequently, a film formed by coating of an ultraviolet curableresin on an upper layer of the reflection film is used as the protectivefilm.

Here, in the above-mentioned method of recording the opticalinformation, the higher recording density has been requested in recentyears. So, in order to satisfy the request of the higher recordingdensity, a technique is proposed for increasing a numerical aperture(NA) of an objective lens used at a time of a radiation of a reproducinglight of an optical pickup and thereby reducing a spot diameter of thereproducing light.

That is, NA of an objective lens used at a time of a reproducing aconventional DAD, that is, reading information recorded in theconventional DAD, is 0.45. On the contrary, NA of an objective lens usedat a time of reproducing an optical video disc such as a DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc) having a recording capacity equal to 6 to 8 times thatof the DAD is about 0.60. In this way, it is possible to reduce the spotdiameter.

However, if a higher NA is advanced in such an objective lens, it isnecessary to thin a disc substrate in an optical recording medium, inorder to transmit the radiated reproducing light. This is because anallowable amount of an angle (a tilt angle) deviated from a verticalportion of a disc plane with respect to an optical axis of the opticalpickup is dropped, and the tilt angle easily receives the influence ofdouble refraction and aberration caused by a thickness of the discsubstrate. Thus, trying to have a thinner disc substrate results in atilt angle to be as small as possible. For example, in theabove-mentioned DAD, the thickness of the disc substrate is set at about1.2 mm. On the contrary, in the optical video disc having the recordingcapacity equal to 6 to 8 times that of the recording capacity of theDAD, such as the DVD or the like, the thickness of the disc substrate isset at about 0.6 mm.

However, in consideration of a request for the further higher recordingdensity in future, it is necessary to further reduce the thickness ofthe disc substrate. So, there is proposed an optical recording medium inwhich concave and convex portions are formed on a major surface of adisc substrate, as an information signal area; a reflection film and alight transmitting layer of a thin film to transmit a light on theinformation signal area are sequentially laminated; and a reproducinglight from the light transmitting layer side is radiated to the discsubstrate so as to reproduce an information signal. Such an opticalrecording medium can cope with the higher NA of the objective lens byreducing the thickness of the light transmitting layer.

One example of the optical recording medium designed to reproduce theinformation signal by radiating the reproducing light from the lighttransmitting layer side is disclosed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. Hei 10-283683. In this application, when a lighttransmitting layer is formed, a method is employed for laminating lighttransmitting sheets on a disc substrate by using an ultraviolet curableresin.

According to the disclosure of the above-mentioned Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. Hei 10-283683, the ultraviolet curable resinis firstly fed onto a major surface of a disc substrate. The lighttransmitting sheet configured so that a laser beam can be transmittedtherethrough is placed on the ultraviolet curable resin. Next, theultraviolet curable resin is filled between the substrate and the lighttransmitting sheet by rotating in an in-plane direction the lighttransmitting sheet and the substrate laminated having the ultravioletcurable resin disposed therebetween. At a stage when the ultravioletcurable resin is sufficiently filled between the substrate and the lighttransmitting layer, the ultraviolet is radiated onto the resin, and theresin is cured. Accordingly, the substrate and the light transmittingsheet are adhered to each other. As mentioned above, the lighttransmitting layer which comprises the ultraviolet curable resin and thelight transmitting sheet is formed.

In the above-mentioned optical disc, various experiments andconsiderations have been progressed for practical use. However, as aresult of the various experiments by the inventor with regard to such anoptical recording medium, it is confirmed, in the above-mentionedconventional optical disc, that when the optical disc is chucked androtated at a predetermined rotation speed, a deflection (run out) of thedisc becomes very large. In the present specification, the term“deflection” is used for express the phenomenon of vertical deviation,run-out or the like of the disc surface.

Such a deflection brings about a recording defect and a reproductiondefect, in a case of an optical recording medium which has a higher NAof the objective lens of the optical system and a shorter wave length ofthe laser beam used in the recording and/or the reproduction. For thisreason, it results in a severe problem in a practical application of theoptical recording medium having the improved recording density.

There is a need for an optical recording medium having a lighttransmitting layer formed on a disc substrate thereof, which has lessdeflection and on which a recording operation and/or a reproducingoperation can be excellently carried out, and a method of manufacturingthe same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is providedan optical recording medium in which an information signal area on andfrom which an information signal can be recorded and/or reproduced isformed on a major surface of a disc substrate, and a light transmittinglayer which can transmit a laser beam used in a process for recordingand/or reproducing the information signal is formed on a side on whichthe information signal area exists. In the optical recording medium, aclamp reference plane is arranged in a portion on a major surface of thelight transmitting layer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, in which aninformation signal area on and from which an information signal can berecorded and/or reproduced is formed on a major surface of a discsubstrate, and a light transmitting layer which can transmit a laserbeam used in a process for recording and/or reproducing the informationsignal is formed on a side on which the information signal area exists.In the method, a clamp reference plane can be arranged on a majorsurface of the light transmitting layer in a clamp region of the opticalrecording medium.

In the present invention, typically, the light transmitting layer of theoptical recording medium comprises a light transmitting sheet and anadhesive layer disposed between the light transmitting sheet and a majorsurface of the substrate to adhere them, and the method includes a stepof laminating the light transmitting sheet on a major surface of thedisc substrate via the adhesive layer disposed therebetween.

In the present invention, typically, the light transmitting layer of theoptical recording medium comprises a light transmitting sheet; anadhesive layer through which the light transmitting sheet is adhered toa major surface of the substrate; and a protective layer formed on aplane opposite to a side on which the adhesive layer of the lighttransmitting sheet is formed, and the manufacturing method may include astep of laminating the light transmitting sheet on a major surface ofthe disc substrate through the adhesive layer disposed therebetween.

In the present invention, typically, the clamp reference plane has anannular shape. Preferably, a diameter of the innermost circumference ofthe clamp reference plane is 22 mm or more and 24 mm or less, and adiameter of the outermost circumference of the clamp reference plane is32 mm or more and 34 mm or less. More preferably, the diameter of theinnermost circumference of the clamp reference plane is 22.5 mm or moreand 23.5 mm or less, and the diameter of the outermost circumference ofthe clamp reference plane is 32.5 mm or more and 33.5 mm or less.

In the present invention, typically, the disc substrate has a flatannular shape having a first opening at a center portion thereof, andthe light transmitting layer has a flat annular shape having a secondopening at a center portion thereof, and a diameter of the secondopening is larger than a diameter of the first opening and smaller thanan inner circumference diameter of the clamp region in the discsubstrate.

In the present invention, typically, the light transmitting layercomprises the light transmitting sheet and the adhesive layer throughwhich the light transmitting sheet is adhered to a major surface of thesubstrate. Then, the light transmitting layer is formed on a majorsurface of the disc substrate, by using a step of laminating the lighttransmitting sheet onto the major surface of the disc substrate throughthe adhesive layer therebetween. At this time, preferably, the adhesivelayer is made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or an ultraviolet curableresin. However, other adhesive materials and adhesive resins can also beused.

In the present invention, typically, a sum of a thickness of the discsubstrate in the clamp region and a film thickness of the lighttransmitting layer is 1.0 mm or more and 1.4 mm or less. Preferably, thesum is 1.1 mm or more and 1.3 mm or less.

In the present invention, typically, a film thickness of the lighttransmitting layer is 90 μm or more and 110 μm or less. Preferably, thefilm thickness is 95 μm or more and 105 μm or less.

In the present invention, typically, the disc substrate has a flatannular shape, and the light transmitting sheet also has a flat annularshape. So, in the present invention, in order to form the lighttransmitting layer having the light transmitting sheet, typically, afterthe adhesive resin is coated on the disc substrate, the lighttransmitting sheet is placed on the disc substrate via the adhesiveresin disposed therebetween. Also, in the present invention, in order toprevent the light transmitting sheet from being peeled off from the discsubstrate after the adhesive resin is cured, preferably, the innerdiameter of the sheet having the flat annular shape is configured to belarger than the inner diameter of the substrate having the flat annularshape, and the outer diameter of the sheet having the flat annular shapeis configured to be smaller than the outer diameter of the substratehaving the flat annular shape. Also, in the present invention, in orderto fill the adhesive resin between the substrate and the lighttransmitting sheet without any space, preferably, after the sheet isplaced on the substrate through the adhesive resin disposedtherebetween, the substrate and the light transmitting sheet are rotatedaround the axis of the center in the flat annular shape, vertically tothe plane of the flat annular shape. Since the sheet and the substrateare rotated while having the adhesive resin therebetween as mentionedabove, the adhesive resin can be filled between the substrate and thesheet with no space therein.

In the present invention, typically, the adhesive layer is made of thepressure-sensitive adhesive and the ultraviolet curable resin cured bythe radiation of the ultraviolet. However, it is possible to use otheradhesives, in specific, adhesives such as a cyano-acrylate typeadhesive, an epoxy type adhesive, a polyurethane type adhesive, a hotmelt adhesive and the like, and an epoxy resin, a melamine resin, or analkyd resin. That is, any resin can be used if it is a resin cured bythe radiation of light such as an electron beam, ultraviolet and thelike, or a predetermined method such as a heating operation and thelike. Among the ultraviolet curable resins, acrylate type, thiol type,epoxy type and silicon type ultraviolet curable resins can be used. So,if an ultraviolet curable adhesive is used as the material of theadhesive layer, the adhesive layer is typically cured by radiating theultraviolet onto at least the above-mentioned adhesive layer. In thepresent invention, preferably, the adhesive layer is cured by radiatingthe ultraviolet onto at least the adhesive layer from the side oppositeto the side on which the adhesive layer is formed with respect to thelight transmitting layer. Moreover, in the present invention, the curingmethod which is suitable for the material selected as the material ofthe adhesive layer is selected.

In the present invention, in order to minimize distortion and warp inthe optical recording medium to be manufactured, the light transmittingsheet is preferably made of the same kind of material as a material usedfor the substrate. The thickness of the light transmitting sheet istypically configured so as to be less than a thickness of the discsubstrate. In the present invention, the thickness of the lighttransmitting sheet is specifically selected from a range between 90 μmand 110 μm. Moreover, in the present invention, the substrate and thelight transmitting sheet are typically made of a thermoplastic resinhaving a light transmitting property. In specific, a resin of low waterabsorption, for example, such as polycarbonate (PC),cyclo-olefin-polymer and the like is used. By the way, as for the discsubstrate, for example, a substrate made of a metal such as Al and thelike, a glass substrate, or a disc substrate made of a resin such aspolyolefin, polyimide, polyamide, poly-phenylene sulfide, polyethyleneterephthalate and the like can be used.

In the present invention, the light transmitting sheet is made of anon-magnetic material that allows the transmission of a laser beamradiated from a GaN semiconductor laser (a light emission wave length of400 nm bandwidth, blue light emission), a ZnSe semiconductor laser (alight emission wave length of 500 nm bandwidth, green) or an AlGaInPsemiconductor laser (a light emission wave length of about 635 to 680nm, red) or the like, which is used in a process forrecording/reproducing at least an information signal. In specific, it ismade of a thermoplastic resin having a light transmitting property, suchas polycarbonate and the like.

Preferably, the present invention can be applied to an optical recordingmedium having a light transmitting layer, such as DVR (Digital VideoRecording System) and the like, which is configured so as to recordinformation by using the objective lens having an NA increased to ashigh as 0.85, which is realized by the series combination of two lenses.In specific, the present invention can be applied to an opticalrecording medium, such as a so-called DVR-red that uses a semiconductorlaser having a light emission wave length of about 650 nm, a so-calledDVR-blue that uses a semiconductor laser having a light emission wavelength of about 400 nm, and the like.

In the optical recording medium having the above-mentioned configurationaccording to the present invention and the method of manufacturing thesame, the clamp reference plane is defined in the portion on the majorsurface of the light transmitting layer. Thus, even if a foreign body issandwiched between the clamp reference plane and a fixing jig when theoptical recording medium is chucked, the foreign body can be embedded inthe light transmitting layer.

As explained above, according to the present invention, in the opticalrecording medium in which the information signal are configured to becapable of recording and/or reproducing an information signal is formedon a major surface of the disc substrate, and the light transmittinglayer configured to be capable of transmitting therethtough the laserbeam used in the process for recording and/or reproducing theinformation signal is formed on the side on which the information signalarea is present, the clamp reference plane is defined in the portion ona major surface of the light transmitting layer. So, even if a foreignbody is sandwiched between the clamp reference plane and the clampingunit (fixing jig) when the optical recording medium is chucked, theforeign body can be put so as to be embedded in the light transmittinglayer. Thus, the flatness of the clamp reference plane can be maintainedto thereby reduce the deflection on the optical recording medium as afinal product. Hence, it is possible to attain the optical recordingmedium with less deflection and flutter, and being excellent inrecording/reproducing performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description ofthe presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing an optical disc according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a disc substrate according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a sheet according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a laminating apparatus used to laminate thedisc substrate and the sheet according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a chucking unit for clampingthe optical disc according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing an optical disc according to asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a disc substrate according tothe second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a sheet according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing an optical disc according to athird embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing a disc substrate according tothe third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a light transmitting sheet accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12A to FIG. 12D are perspective views each showing a process forforming a light transmitting layer according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the attached drawings. By the way, in all the drawings ofthe following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to thesame or corresponding portions.

At first, an optical disc according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention is described. FIG. 1 shows the optical disc according to thefirst embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the optical disc according to the firstembodiment, a disc substrate 1 is configured such that a center hole 1 bis formed at a center of a replica substrate 1 a and an informationsignal area 1 c is formed on a major surface on which concave and convexportions are formed. Also, a light transmitting layer 2 is formed on thedisc substrate 1. The light transmitting layer 2 comprises a lighttransmitting sheet 2 a and an adhesive layer 2 b. The adhesive layer 2 bis disposed between the light transmitting sheet 2 a and the discsubstrate 1 so as to adhere them. A penetration hole 2 c is made at acenter portion thereof. Here, a diameter of the penetration hole 2 c isequal to or greater than a diameter of the center hole 1 b, inconsideration of the fact that the light transmitting sheet 2 a isadhered onto the disc substrate 1 through the adhesive layer 2 b. Inspecific, for example, the diameter of the penetration hole 2 c is 15 mmor more.

Also, a clamp region 3 is annually arranged around the penetration hole2 c on the major surface of the light transmitting sheet 2 a side of thelight transmitting layer 2. A clamp reference plane 3 a used when theoptical disc is placed in a spindle of a recording/reproducing apparatus(both are not shown) is defined on the major surface on a side of thelight transmitting sheet 2 a of the light transmitting layer 2 withinthe clamp region 3. Here, an innermost circumference diameter of theannular clamp region 3 is selected from 22 to 24 mm. In the firstembodiment, for example, the inner diameter is selected to be 23 mm.Also, an outermost circumference diameter of the clamp region 3 isselected from 32 to 34 mm. In the first embodiment, for example, theouter diameter is selected to be 33 mm. By the way, in consideration ofthe fact that the clamp reference plane 3 a is constituted by the majorsurface of the light transmitting sheet 2 a side of the lighttransmitting layer 2, the diameter of the penetration hole 2 c isselected as a length equal to or less than the innermost circumferencediameter of the clamp region 3. In specific, for example, the diameterof the penetration hole 2 c is selected to be 22 mm or less.

The method of manufacturing the optical disc according to the firstembodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be describedbelow.

At first, the disc substrate 1 according to the first embodiment ismanufactured as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the replica substrate la isfabricated by an injection molding method using a predetermined stamper.A thickness of the replica substrate 1 a is, for example, 0.6 to 1.2 mm.Also, as a material of the replica substrate 1 a, a resin of low waterabsorption, such as polycarbonate, cyclo-olefin-polymer (for example,ZEONEX (registered trademark of Zeon Corporation, Japan)) and the likeis used, for example. By the way, as the replica substrate 1 a, forexample, a substrate made of a metal such as Al and the like, a glasssubstrate, or a substrate made of a resin such as polyolefin, polyimide,polyamide, poly-phenylene sulfide, polyethylene terephthalate and thelike may be used. Also, a recording film, a reflection film and the likeare formed on concave and convex portions formed on a major surface ofthe replica substrate 1 a, and the information signal area 1 c isconstituted by them. The information signal area 1 c may comprise areflection film, a film made of a magneto-optical material, a film madeof a phase change material, an organic dye film and the like. Among thefilms, as a material of the reflection film, Al is used, for example. Inspecific, when an optical disc as a final product is an optical disc forread only (ROM (Read Only Memory)), the information signal area 1 ccomprises a single-layer film or a laminated film at least havingreflection a film made of, for example, Al or the like. On the otherhand, if the optical disc as the final product is a rewritable typeoptical disc, the information signal area 1 c comprises a single-layerfilm or a laminated film at least having a film made of magneto-opticalmaterial such as a TbFeCo type alloy, a TbFeCoSi type alloy, a TbFeCoCrtype alloy or the like, or a film made of a phase change material suchas a GeInSbTe alloy and the like. Also, if the optical disc as the finalproduct is a write once type optical disc, the information signal area 1c comprises a single-layer film or a laminated film at least having afilm made of a phase change material such as a GeTe type material andthe like, or a film made of an organic dye material.

Here, the replica substrate 1 a according to the first embodiment isconstituted by, for example, a disc-shaped polycarbonate (PC) substratehaving a thickness of 1.1 mm. A diameter, that is, an outer diameter ofthe replica substrate 1 a is, for example, 120 mm, and an openingdiameter, that is, an inner diameter of the center hole 1 b is, forexample, 15 mm. Also, as an example of the information signal area 1 con a major surface of the disc substrate 1, the information signal area1 c is constituted by a laminated film in which a first dielectric layerhaving a film thickness of 18 nm made of a mixture (ZnS—SiO₂) of zincsulfide (ZnS) and silicon oxide (SiO₂), a phase change recording layerhaving a film thickness of 24 nm made of a GeSbTe alloy layer, and asecond dielectric layer having a film thickness of 100 nm made ofZnS—SiO₂ are laminated in this sequential order on a reflection layerhaving a film thickness of 100 nm made of an Al alloy.

The sheet constituting the light transmitting layer 2 according to thefirst embodiment will be described below. FIG. 3 shows a sheet 4constituting the light transmitting layer 2 according to the firstembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet 4 used in the first embodiment comprisesthe light transmitting sheet 2 a and the adhesive layer 2 b adhered on asurface of the light transmitting sheet 2 a. The sheet 4 has a structureformed by stamping flatly and annually, similarly to the disc substrate1, and the penetration hole 2 c is formed at a center portion thereof.Here, as for the size of the light transmitting sheet 2 a, a diameter(outer diameter) of the light transmitting sheet 2 a is selected to beequal to or less than the outer diameter of the replica substrate 1 a,that is, the disc substrate 1. Specifically, for example, the diameteris selected to be 119 mm. A diameter (inner diameter) of the penetrationhole 2 c is selected to be equal to or greater than the opening diameterof the center hole 1 b and also equal to or less than the innermostcircumference diameter (for example, a diameter of 25 mm) of the clampregion 3. For example, the inner diameter is selected to be 22 mm. Thesheet 4 is made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin which satisfiesan optical property of allowing at least the ultraviolet to betransmitted and has a light transmitting property to at least a laserbeam used in a recording/reproduction of the optical disc. Specifically,the thermoplastic resin can include, for example, polycarbonate (PC), amethacrylic resin such as poly-methyl-methacrylate (poly-methacrylatemethyl) and the like. It is preferable that the same kind of material asthe material of the replica substrate 1 a is used. Also, a thickness ofthe light transmitting sheet 2 a is selected from 65 to 75 μm. Inspecific, for example, the thickness is 70 μm. By the way, the thicknessof the light transmitting sheet 2 a is determined in consideration ofthe film thickness of the light transmitting layer 2 formed on theoptical disc as a final product.

The method of laminating the sheet 4 and the disc substrate 1 accordingto the first embodiment manufactured as mentioned above will bedescribed below. At first, a laminating apparatus is described which isused in the lamination according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 showsthe laminating apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 4, the laminating apparatus according to the firstembodiment is configured such that a fixed stage 11 and a movable stage12 are placed at positions facing to each other.

The fixed stage 11 is for mounting the sheet 4. A longitudinally movablepin 13 is disposed on the fixed stage 11 at a portion facing to themovable stage 12. The longitudinally movable pin 13 moves upwardly anddownwardly, that is, in both directions of protruding from the fixedstage 11 and of drawing back into the fixed stage 11. A diameter of thelongitudinally movable pin 13 is designed to be equal to the diameter ofthe penetration hole 2 c of the above-mentioned sheet 4. The sheet 4 canbe placed on the fixed stage 11 by engaging the penetration hole 2 c ofthe sheet 4 with the longitudinally movable pin 13. Also, a positioningpin 14 which is cylindrically protruded above the longitudinally movablepin 13 is disposed for positioning the substrate. A diameter of thepositioning pin 14 is designed to be substantially equal to a diameterof the center hole 1 b of the above-mentioned disc substrate 1. The discsubstrate 1 can be supported by the longitudinally movable pin 13 whilethe center of the disc substrate 1 is matched with the positioning pin14. The thus-configured fixed stage 11 is designed such that the sheet 4can be mounted by engaging with the longitudinally movable pin 13 on thefixed stage 11, and the fixed stage 11 can be supported by thelongitudinally movable pin 13 by engaging with the positioning pin 14.

A pad 15 made of an elastic body, for example, such as a rubber and thelike, is placed on a surface of the portion opposite to the fixed stage11 of the movable stage 12. The pad 15 has a partially spherical shapecomposed of one portion when a sphere is divided at a predetermined flatplane, and the pad 15 is fixedly adhered to a plane facing to the fixedstage 11 in the movable stage 12.

A laminating apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment isconfigured as mentioned above.

Then, the laminating apparatus 10 having the above-mentionedconfiguration is used to laminate the disc substrate 1 and the sheet 4to each other. That is, the penetration hole 2 c of the sheet 4 isfirstly engaged with the longitudinally movable pin 13 so that the sheet4 is placed on the fixed stage 11. At this time, the sheet 4 is placedsuch that the side of the adhesive layer 2 b is opposed to the movablestage 12. After that, the disc substrate 1 is placed so as to besupported by the longitudinally movable pin 13 while being engaged withthe positioning pin 14. At this time, the disc substrate 1 is placed andsupported by the longitudinally movable pin 13 so that the major surfaceon which the information signal area 1 c is formed faces to the adhesivelayer 2 b.

Next, the movable stage 12 is moved toward the fixed stage 11 (in adownward direction in FIG. 4). First, the pad 15 presses the positioningpin 14. In succession, the pad 15 presses the longitudinally movable pin14 into the fixed stage 11 via the disc substrate 1. Accordingly, amajor surface of the disc substrate 1, on which the information signalarea 1 c is formed, and the adhesive layer 2 b of the sheet 4 arepressed and adhered to each other. After the pressed adhesion becomesstable, the movable stage 12 is released in a direction away from thefixed stage 11. After that, a predetermined carrying apparatus (notshown) is used to take out the disc substrate 1 and the sheet 4 whichare pressed and adhered to each other, from the fixed stage 11.

As mentioned above, the light transmitting layer 2 is formed on the discsubstrate 1, and the desirable optical disc is manufactured.

A case where the optical disc having the above-mentioned configurationis clamped by a chucking unit will be described below. FIG. 5 shows thechucking unit according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a chucking unit 20 according to the firstembodiment, a table 22 for mounting the disc, a center positioning pin23 and a magnetic metal plate 24 are disposed on an upper portion of arotation shaft 21 while they are sequentially connected to each other.

The rotation shaft 21 is connected to a motor (not shown), and it isdesigned to rotate on its axis at a center on a section vertical to alongitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 21.

The table 22 is intended to mount the optical disc. The optical disc ismounted in contact with the major surface of the light transmittinglayer 2 in the clamp region 3, namely, the clamp reference plane 3 a.Also, a top surface of the table 22 on which the optical disc is mountedis annular-shaped. A diameter of its innermost circumference is, forexample, 26 mm, and a diameter of its outermost circumference is, forexample, 32 mm. A permanent magnet (not shown), for example, is embeddedwithin the table 22. In specific, the permanent magnet is covered with aresin such as a polyimide and the like.

The center positioning pin 23 is used for positioning the center of theoptical disc appropriately. Also, the center positioning pin 23 can beinserted into the center hole of the optical disc (the center hole 1 bof the disc substrate 1). Its center is designed to substantiallycoincide with the self-rotation center of the rotation shaft 21.

The magnetic metal plate 24, which is made of a magnetic material, isintended to clamp the optical disc mounted on the table 22 from the sideof the disc substrate 1. Here, a cross section along the plane parallelto the mounting plane of the table 22 in the magnetic metal plate 24 isannular-shaped. A diameter of the innermost circumference of thiscircular shape is, for example, 26 mm, and a diameter of the outermostcircumference is, for example, 32 mm.

The chucking unit 20 of the present embodiment is designed such that theoptical disc is sandwiched between the table 22 in contact with the sideof the light transmitting layer 2 in which the permanent magnet isembedded and the magnetic metal plate 24 in contact with the side of thedisc substrate 1, in its clamp region 3, and it is accordingly clamped.Also, a force by which the optical disc is sandwiched between the table22 and the magnetic metal plate 24, namely, the clamping force is, forexample, 2N.

The chucking unit 20 having the above-mentioned configuration clamps theoptical disc. Also, the operation for recording on and reproducing fromthe information signal area 1 c is carried out by radiating a laser beamL₁ passed through a two-group lens from a semiconductor laser (notshown), from the side of the light transmitting layer 2 of the opticaldisc to the information signal area 1 c.

The inventor measured the deflection of the optical disc having theabove-mentioned configuration. Namely, at first, the portion of theclamp region 3 of the above-mentioned optical disc was sandwichedbetween an annular jig having an inner diameter of 25 mm and an outerdiameter of 33 mm. Moreover, a weight having a mass of 1 kg was put onthe upper portion of the optical disc, and it was placed in theatmosphere having a temperature of 80° C. and a humidity of 85%. By theway, the reason why the weight having the mass of 1 kg was put was thatthe clamping force of a drive used in an industrial field is usuallyabout 9.8 N (1 kgwt). Then, an acceleration test was carried out for 100hours, and a variation in the deflection before and after the executionof the acceleration test at the portion of a radius 55 mm in the opticaldisc was measured. Also, it was assumed that any foreign body was putwhen the optical disc was clamped by the chucking unit. So, a thin plate(shim) made of stainless steel was used. Then, the variation of thedeflection was similarly measured even for a case where a shim having athickness of 30 μm and a shim having a thickness of 50 μm arerespectively sandwiched between the jig and the optical disc. A table 1shows the result. TABLE 1 CLAMP Shim of Shim of No Shim REFERENCE   30μm   50 μm PLANE LIGHT  8.3 μm  9.1 μm  9.1 μm TRANSMITTING LAYER DISC24.7 μm 28.8 μm 26.1 μm SUBSTRATE

From the table 1, it is understood that the variation in the deflectionwhen the clamp reference plane 3 a of the optical disc was defined on amajor surface of the light transmitting layer 2, such as the opticaldisc according to the first embodiment, was reduced to about ⅓ ascompared with the variation in the deflection of a case where a clampreference plane of the optical disc was arranged on a major surface ofthe disc substrate 1, such as the conventional optical disc. Thus, it isunderstood that the variation in the deflection is reduced by settingthe clamp reference plane of the optical disc on a major surface of thelight transmitting layer. Hence, it is understood that the occurrence ofthe deflection can be suppressed.

From a viewpoint of the inventor, if a flaw occurs in the clamp region(especially, the clamp reference plane) of the optical disc, thedeflection is brought about when the optical disc is again clamped bythe chucking unit of a recording/reproducing apparatus, a reproductiononly apparatus or the like. That is, according to the consideration bythe inventor, the flaw such as a depression, a projection and the likecaused by a foreign body such as a shim becomes large in theconventional optical disc in which the clamp reference plane isconstituted by a major surface of the disc substrate. In particular, theprojection causes the variation in the deflection to be severe. On thecontrary, in the optical disc according to the first embodiment in whichthe clamp reference plane is constituted by a major surface of the lighttransmitting layer, even if somewhat foreign body such as the shim andthe like is put, the existence of the light transmitting sheet 2 a of100 μm or less enables the foreign body to be embedded in the lighttransmitting layer 2. Thus, the occurrence of the projection can beavoided to thereby suppress the occurrence of the deflection. So, theoccurrence of the projection on the clamp reference plane can besuppressed to thereby maintain the flatness on the clamp referenceplane.

As mentioned above, according to the first embodiment, in the opticaldisc in which the light transmitting layer 2 is formed on the discsubstrate 1, the clamp reference plane 3 a of the clamp region 3 isconstituted by a major surface of the light transmitting layer 2. Thus,in a case of the optical disc being inserted into arecording/reproducing apparatus or a reproduction only apparatus, evenif a foreign body is sandwiched between the clamp reference plane 3 aand the clamping unit, the foreign material can be embedded in the lighttransmitting layer 2 to accordingly maintain the flatness of the clampreference plane 3 a. So, the deflection at the time of the rotation ofthe optical disc can be suppressed to thereby improve therecording/reproducing characteristic. Hence, it is possible to attainthe optical recording medium having an excellent recording and/orreproducing characteristic and the high reliability.

An optical disc according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below. FIG. 6 shows the optical discaccording to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a disc substrate 1according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the optical disc according to the secondembodiment, the disc substrate 1 is constituted similarly to that of thefirst embodiment. A light transmitting layer 31 is formed on the discsubstrate 1. The light transmitting layer 31 comprises a lighttransmitting sheet 31 a which is adhered to the disc substrate 1 via anadhesive layer 31 b disposed therebetween, and a hard coat layer 31 dwhich is formed on a plane opposite to a side on which the adhesivelayer 31 b of the light transmitting sheet 31 a is formed. Also, in thelight transmitting layer 31, a penetration hole 31 c is made at a centerportion thereof. A diameter of the penetration hole 31 c is similar tothat of the light transmitting layer 2 in the first embodiment.

A clamp region 3 is annually provided around a center hole 1 b of thedisc substrate 1 and the penetration hole 31 c in the light transmittinglayer 31. A clamp reference plane 3 a when the optical disc is placed ina spindle of a recording/reproducing apparatus (both are not shown) isdefined on a major surface of the side of the hard coat layer 31 d ofthe light transmitting layer 31 in the clamp region 3. Here, thediameters of the innermost circumference and the outermost circumferenceof the annular clamp region 3 are similar to those of the firstembodiment.

A sheet constituting the light transmitting layer 31 according to thesecond embodiment will be described below. FIG. 8 shows a sheet 32constituting the light transmitting layer 31 according to the secondembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sheet 32 used in the second embodiment comprisesthe light transmitting sheet 31 a; the adhesive layer 31 b made of anadhesive adhered on a major surface of the light transmitting sheet 31a; and the hard coat layer 31 d made of, for example, an ultravioletcurable resin and the like, which is formed on the other major surfaceopposite to the side where the adhesive layer 31 b of the lighttransmitting sheet 31 a is formed. A thickness of the light transmittingsheet 2 a is selected, for example, from a range between 65 and 75 μm.In the second embodiment, the light transmitting sheet 2 a has athickness of 65 μm, for example. Also, a thickness of the adhesive layer31 b is selected, for example, from a range between 25 and 35 μm. In thesecond embodiment, the adhesive layer 31 b has a thickness of 30 μm, forexample. By the way, the thickness of the light transmitting sheet 31 aand the thickness of the adhesive layer 31 b are determined byconsidering a film thickness of the light transmitting layer 31 to befinally formed. By the way, the other requirements for the sheet 32according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the firstembodiment.

Also, the method of laminating the disc substrate 1 and the sheet 32according to the second embodiment and the method of clamping theoptical disc in the chucking unit are similar to those of the firstembodiment. So, their explanations are omitted.

As mentioned above, according to the second embodiment, the clampreference plane 3 a is arranged on the major surface of the side of thehard coat layer 31 d of the light transmitting layer 31 in the clampregion 3. Thus, it is possible to obtain the effect similar to that ofthe first embodiment.

An optical disc according to a third embodiment of the present inventionwill be described below. FIG. 9 shows the optical disc according to thethird embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a disc substrate. And, FIG. 11 shows alight transmitting sheet.

As shown in FIG. 9, the optical disc according to the third embodimentis configured such that a light transmitting layer 41 which comprises alight transmitting sheet 41 a and an adhesive layer 41 b is formed on amajor surface of the disc substrate 1 on which the information signalarea 1 c is formed. By the way, the disc substrate 1 according to thethird embodiment is similar to the disc substrate in the firstembodiment, as shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet used in the third embodiment comprisesthe light transmitting sheet 41 a. The light transmitting sheet 41 a hasa structure formed by punching flatly and annually, similarly to thedisc substrate 1, and a penetration hole 41 c is formed at a centerportion thereof. Here, as the size of the light transmitting sheet 41 a,a diameter (outer diameter) is less than the outer diameter of thereplica substrate 1 a (for example, 120 mm). For example, in this case,the diameter o the light transmitting sheet 41 a is 119 mm. A diameterof the penetration hole 41 c, that is, an inner diameter of the sheetsis equal to or greater than the open diameter of the center hole 1 b(actually, for example, 15 mm or more) and also equal to or less thanthe inner circumference diameter of the clamp region. Specifically, forexample, the diameter of the penetration hole 41 c is set at 22 mm.

Also, the light transmitting sheet 41 a is made of, for example, athermoplastic resin having the light transmitting characteristic whichsatisfies the optical property that allows at least ultraviolet to betransmitted. The thermoplastic resin can specifically include, forexample, polycarbonate (PC) or methacrylic resin such aspoly-methyl-methacrylate (poly-methacrylate methyl) and the like. Also,in the third embodiment, a thickness of the light transmitting sheet 41a is, for example, 95 μm. By the way, the thickness of the lighttransmitting sheet 41 a is determined in consideration of the filmthickness of the light transmitting layer 41 to be finally formed.

The method of manufacturing the optical disc according to the thirdembodiment will be described below. At first, since the method ofmanufacturing the disc substrate 1 according to the third embodiment issimilar to that of the first embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

The method of forming the light transmitting layer 41 on the discsubstrate 1 will be described below. FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D showthe process for forming the light transmitting layer 41 according to thethird embodiment.

At first, as shown in FIG. 12A, an ultraviolet curable resin 42 is fedand coated on a major surface on which the information signal area 1 cof the disc substrate 1 is formed. The feeding of the ultravioletcurable resin 42 is carried out from a nozzle port of an ultravioletcurable resin feeding unit 43 to the side of the inner circumference ona major surface of the disc substrate 1 so as to have a flat and annularshape, for example. At this time, the disc substrate 1 and theultraviolet curable resin feeding unit 43 for injecting the ultravioletcurable resin 42 are relatively rotated. At this time, an ultravioletcurable resin having a viscosity of, for example, 0.1 Pa.s (100 cps) isused for the ultraviolet curable resin.

As shown in FIG. 12B, a position of the center hole 1 b of the discsubstrate 1 and a position of the penetration hole 41 c of the center ofthe light transmitting sheet 41 a are matched with each other. Then, theflat and annular light transmitting sheet 41 a is placed on the majorsurface of the disc substrate 1 to which the ultraviolet curable resin42 is fed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12C, the disc substrate 1 and the lighttransmitting sheet 41 a are rotated in an in-plane direction (adirection of M in FIG. 12C) with a rotation axis as a center.Accordingly, the ultraviolet curable resin 42 on the disc substrate 1 isfilled between the disc substrate 1 and the light transmitting sheet 41a. Also, the excessive ultraviolet curable resin 42 is spun off. Here,the rotation speed of the disc substrate 1 and the light transmittingsheet 41 a is, for example, 83.3 s⁻(5000 rpm), and a rotational time is,for example, 20 s. By the way, if the protective layer (not shown) madeof the ultraviolet curable resin 42 is formed by feeding the ultravioletcurable resin 42 to the plane opposite to the side on which the lighttransmitting sheet 41 a of the disc substrate 1 is adhered, as for theultraviolet curable resin 42 constituting the protective film, theexcessive ultraviolet curable resin 42 is spun off by the rotation inthe in-plane direction, and it is uniformly coated to thereby form theprotective layer having a uniform thickness (not shown).

The ultraviolet curable resin 42 is filled between the disc substrate 1and the light transmitting sheet 41 a, and the excessive ultravioletcurable resin 42 is spun off. After that, as shown in FIG. 12D, the discsubstrate 1 is placed within a radiation range of an ultraviolet lightsource 44, which is configured such that the ultraviolet can be emittedtherefrom. At this time, the disc substrate 1 is arranged such that theside on which the light transmitting sheet 41 a is placed is located toface the side where the ultraviolet light source 44 is installed. Afterthat, the ultraviolet is radiated from the ultraviolet light source 44through the light transmitting sheet 41 a, to the ultraviolet curableresin 42 on the major surface of the disc substrate 1. The accumulatedstrength of the ultraviolet radiated at this time is set at, forexample, 500 mJ/cm². The radiation of the ultraviolet causes theultraviolet curable resin 42 to be cured between the disc substrate 1and the light transmitting sheet 41 a.

As mentioned above, the light transmitting sheet 41 a is adhered throughon the upper layer of the information signal area 1 c on the majorsurface of the disc substrate 1 via the adhesive layer 41 b made of thecured ultraviolet curable resin disposed therebetween. And, as shown inFIG. 9, the desirable optical disc is manufactured in which theinformation signal area 1 c and the light transmitting layer 41 composedof the light transmitting sheet 41 a and the adhesive layer 41 b areformed on the major surface of the replica substrate 1 a.

As explained above, according to this third embodiment, the clampreference plane 3 a is defined on the major surface of the lighttransmitting layer 41. Thus, it is possible to attain the effect similarto that of the first embodiment.

Also, in the third embodiment, the ultraviolet curable resin 42 isfilled between the disc substrate 1 and the sheet by rotating the sheetand the disc substrate 1 laminated via the ultraviolet curable resin 42therebetween in the in-plane direction. Thus, it is not necessary topress the disc substrate 1 and the sheet to adhere them, and the lighttransmitting layer having a uniform thickness can be easily formed in ashort time. Hence, it is possible to improve productivity. Then, thestable reproduction performance can be obtained in the optical recordingmedium having such uniform film thickness. Moreover, the very thinadhesive layer can be formed to thereby suppress the deformation causedby the aging and the initial warp of the replica substrate 1 a. Hence,it is possible to attain the stable performance for a long time.

The embodiments of the present invention have been actually described asmentioned above. However, the present invention is not limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments. The various modifications based on thetechnical idea of the present invention can be made thereto.

For example, the values, the materials and the configuration of theinformation signal area exemplified in the above-mentioned embodimentsare only examples. Values, materials and a configuration of theinformation signal area which are different from them may be used asnecessary.

1.-9. (canceled)
 10. An optical recording medium having an informationsignal area on which an information signal can be recorded and/orreproduced, said medium comprising: a disc substrate layer; and a lighttransmitting layer; wherein, said light transmitting layer transmits alaser beam for recording and/or reproducing the information signal: saidinformation signal is formed within said information signal area, aclamp reference plane is arranged on a light transmitting layer; saidlight transmitting layer comprises a light transmitting sheet, anadhesive layer through which said light transmitting sheet is adhered tothe major surface of said disc substrate; and a protective layer formedon a side opposite to a side on which said adhesive layer of said lighttransmitting sheet is formed.
 11. The optical recording medium accordingto claim 10, wherein said light transmitting sheet is made of athermoplastic resin through which at least said laser beam can betransmitted.
 12. The optical recording medium according to claim 10,wherein said light transmitting sheet is made of a same material as thatused for said disc substrate.
 13. The optical recording medium accordingto claim 10, wherein said adhesive layer is made of a pressure sensitiveadhesive through which at least said laser beam can be transmitted. 14.The optical recording medium according to claim 10, wherein saidadhesive layer is made of an ultraviolet curable resin through which atleast said laser beam can be transmitted.
 15. The optical recordingmedium according to claim 10, wherein a sum of a thickness of said discsubstrate in said clamp region and a film thickness of said lighttransmitting layer is 1.0 mm or more and 1.4 mm or less.
 16. (canceled)17. A method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, in which aninformation signal area on which an information signal can be recordedand/or reproduced is formed on a major surface of a disc substrate, anda light transmitting layer which is capable of transmitting a laser beamused in a process for recording and/or reproducing the informationsignal is formed on a side on which said information signal area ispresent, wherein a clamp reference plane can be arranged on a majorsurface of said light transmitting layer in a clamp region of saidoptical recording medium.
 18. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 17, wherein said clamp referenceplane has an annular shape.
 19. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 18, wherein a diameter of aninnermost circumference of said clamp reference plane is 22 mm or moreand 24 mm or less and a diameter of an outermost circumference of saidclamp reference plane is 32 mm or more and 34 mm or less.
 20. The methodof manufacturing an optical recording medium according to claim 18,wherein said light transmitting layer comprises a light transmittingsheet and an adhesive layer through which said light transmitting sheetis adhered to the major surface of said disc substrate, and said methodincludes a step of laminating said light transmitting sheet onto themajor surface of said disc substrate through said adhesive layerdisposed therebetween.
 21. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 20, wherein said light transmittingsheet is made of a thermoplastic resin through which at least said laserbeam can be transmitted.
 22. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 20, wherein said adhesive layer ismade of a pressure sensitive adhesive through which at least said laserbeam can be transmitted.
 23. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 20, wherein said adhesive layer ismade of an ultraviolet curable resin through which at least said laserbeam can be transmitted.
 24. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 17, wherein said light transmittinglayer comprises a light transmitting sheet, an adhesive layer throughwhich said light transmitting sheet is adhered to the major surface ofsaid disc substrate, and a protective layer formed on a plane oppositeto a side on which said adhesive layer is formed, and said methodincludes a step of laminating said light transmitting sheet onto themajor surface of said disc substrate through said adhesive layerdisposed therebetween.
 25. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 24, wherein said light transmittingsheet is made of a thermoplastic resin through which at least said laserbeam can be transmitted.
 26. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 24, wherein said light transmittingsheet is made of a same material as that used for said disc substrate.27. The method of manufacturing an optical recording medium according toclaim 24, wherein said adhesive layer is made of a pressure sensitiveadhesive through which at least said laser beam can be transmitted. 28.The method of manufacturing an optical recording medium according toclaim 24, wherein said adhesive layer is made of an ultraviolet curableresin through which at least said laser beam can be transmitted.
 29. Themethod of manufacturing an optical recording medium according to claim17, wherein a sum of a thickness of said disc substrate in said clampregion and a film thickness of said light transmitting layer is 1.0 mmor more and 1.4 mm or less.
 30. The method of manufacturing an opticalrecording medium according to claim 17, wherein a film thickness of saidlight transmitting layer is 90 μm or more and 110 μm or less. 31.(canceled)